Chain link



J. W. PAGE' `CHAIN LINK May 4, 1937.

` FiledfMay 27, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet l HMI.

May 4b i937# J. W. PAGE v 2,079,384

CHAIN LINK Filed May 27, 195e 3 Sheets- Sheet 2 v a /5- y May' 4, 1937. J. W. PAGE CHAIN LINK Filed May 27) 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 4, 1937 UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHAIN LINK tion of Illinois Application May 27, 1936, Serial No. 82,116

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in chain links and, more especially, a two-part link adapted for easy and quick assembly. The invention may be utilized, for example, in the making of a repair 5 link, or a link that is normally open and which may be readily closed. The invention may be used, for example, in making links adapted to be closed in the field by the use of simple instruments.

In general, my invention includes two substantially C-shaped members adapted to be superimposed with the openings oppositely arranged. Because of the opening in each member, the same may be easily linked into the ends of chains, eyes, rings, bails, and the like. Each member has portions adapted to be bent toward each other to engage the ends of the other member to hold the members together to form a complete closed link. When the link is closed, it is neat in appearance, strong and durable and may function substantially as well as an ordinary integrally formed chain link. If desired, of course, an entire chain may readily beV formed of links embodying the present invention.

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear more fully as I proceed with my specification.

In that form of device embodying the features of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a top plan view showing the link closed; Fig. 2 is a similar view in side elevation; Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of one of the members forming the link; Fig. 5 is a view of said member in side elevation; Fig. 6 is a top plan View of the two members of the link superimposed showing the same before the bendable portions on either member have been bent toward each other to engage the ends of the other member to hold the members together; Fig. 7 is a .similar View in side elevation; Fig. 8 is a View taken as indicated by the line 8 of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a View taken as indicated by the line 9 of Fig. 1; Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. l, showing a modication; Fig. 11 is a View similar to Fig. 2, showing the same modication; Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing the same modication; and Fig. 13 is a view taken as indicated by the line I3 of Fig. 10.

As shown in the drawings, the complete link includes two substantially C-shaped members adapted to be superimposed with the openings oppositely arranged. One of the C-shaped members is shown alone in Fig. 4 and in Fig. 5. Each member on one side has a substantially i'lat surface I0 adapted to lie against the corresponding surface of the other member when the two are superimposed. II indicates the opening in the member. When the two members are superimposed, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, these openings are oppositely arranged. That is, the solid or shank portion of each C-shaped member lies over and bridges the opening in the other member.

Opposite the at side I0, each of the members has an outer surface or side I2 with rounded corners I3 so that when the two members are placed together to form the complete link, its 'cross-section will be substantially square with four rounded corners, as shown in Fig. 9.

The ends of each member on the outer side are cut away or thinned, as indicated by I4, I4, to leave V-shaped shelves I5 at the ends adjacent the opening. Each member on the inner side opposite the opening is provided with bendable wing portions I6, I6, adapted to be bent toward each other to engage the ends of the other member to hold the two members together. The entire link is preferably made of more or less malleable, pliable or bendable metal so that the wing portions II, I6, will also be malleable or bendable.

In the practice of the invention, the two halves are placed with their fiat sides together and the openings opposite each other. The two members are shown in this position in Figs. 6, 'l and 8. The wing members I6, I6, on each member are then bent downwardly toward each other and are so shaped that they will iit into the recesses I4, I4, and thus clamp or engage the ends of the other member to hold the two parts of the link tightly together. The wing portions I6 have their ends beveled to t the V-shaped shelves z,

I5 and the edges I Iia of the central portions of the Wings I6 are adapted to come substantially together so as to form a smooth surface for the link when it is closed. The thickness of the portions IB is substantially equal to the depth of the depression I4. When the link is assembled, as shown in Figs. l and 2, its outer surface on both sides will be substantially smooth and free from deformities.

In Fig. 3, the two links are shown together with the wings I6 shown bent down in solid lines, the broken lines showing such wings as they appear after the two parts of the link have been placed together before engagement. Fig. 8 shows the wings I6, I 6, before bending the same together and Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the wings bent together.

The wings I6 are preferably extended some distance around each link member toward the point where they are bent, as indicated by Il, and the opposite member is provided with a recess to receive the same. In Fig. 5, the dotted line I8 indicates substantially the line of bend for the wing or ear I 6.

In Figs. 10 to 13, I have shown a modiiied form. As here shown, the members are provided with interlocking parts to prevent the ends of one member from pulling out of the other longitudinally under strain. For example, the ends of the C-shaped members may be provided with lugs 55, 5B interlocking with lugs 5 I, 5I on the other .mein-A ber when the two members are superimposed. In other respects, the construction is substantially the same as described above. When the two parts are assembled, the Wing portions IIS, IIS corresponding to the wing portions I6, IS in the other form are bent down as shown in Fig. l0, to com plete the formation of the link. When these wing portions are bent down into position, the lugs 5U art.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A chain including, two substantially C- shaped members adapted to be superimposed with the openings oppositely arranged, the ends of each -member on the outside being recessed to leave 'substantially V-shaped shelves, and two bendabie ear portions on each member opposite the opening, said portions on each member adapted to be bent down toward each other to engage the ends of the other member to hold said members together, said ear portions adapted to fit in said recesses on said ends and provided with slanting ends adapted to abut against said V-shaped shelves, and the center edge portions of said ear members adapted to abut substantially against each other when said ear members are bent down toward each other to hold the link members together.

2. A chain link, including, two substantially C- shaped members adapted to be superimposed with the openings oppositely arranged, each member having a portion adapted to be bent to engage the ends of the other member, to hold said members together, the ends of each member being provided with recesses adapted to accommodate said bent portions, said recesses leaving V-shaped shelves on said ends, the bent portions being provided with slanting edges adapted to abut against said shelves.

3. A chain link including, two substantially C- shaped members adapted to be superimposed with the openings oppositely arranged, each member having portions adapted to be rbent to engage the ends of the other member to hold said members together, the endsof each member being provided with recesses adapted to accommodate said bent portions, said recesses leaving V-shaped shelves on said ends, the bent portions being provided with slanting edges adapted to abut against said shelves.

4. A chain link including, two substantially C shaped members adapted to be superimposed with the openings oppositely arranged, each member having portions adapted tobe bent toward each other to engage the ends of the other member to hold saidk members together, the ends of each member being provided with recesses adapted to accommodate said bent portions, said recesses leaving V-shaped shelves on said ends, the bent portions being provided with slanting edges adapted to abut. against said shelves.

JOHN W. PAGE. 

